Italy’s star swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri took his team’s first Rio swimming gold in 1,500 metres freestyle, threatening the world record held by China’s swimming hero Sun Yang and beating Sun’s Australian rival Mack Horton.

“Lots of ups and downs, the team, but I think everyone handled it very well,” Horton said after the race. “This is what a team looks like.”

Horton also said that Paltrinieri was a good friend of his who deserved the gold medal.

“Anything I’d like to tell Sun Yang? Not really,” he added.

Tensions have been running high between Horton and Sun after the Australian swimmer called Sun a “drug cheat”, referring to his three-month suspension in 2014 for taking a drug the Chinese said was to treat a heart condition.

Eventually, Sun did not make it to the finals and Horton also missed out on a medal.

The Italian gold medallist said:“It’s amazing. I have dreamed of this medal ever since I was a child. I mean a gold medal, it was more difficult than I expected because it’s an Olympic final. It was tough but I’m very excited. The gold medal is amazing.”

WATCH: relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 8 at the Rio Olympics